Game apparatus.



H. C. OSBORN.

GAME APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED use. 26. 1914.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

2 SHEETS- -BHEET 1.

{Irvin T02:

H. C. OSBORN. GAME APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED mzc. 26, I914.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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STATES PATENT onnron.

nanny c. ossoan, or CLEVELAND, OHIO.

GAME APPARATUS.

To all 'wlfom it-may concern: I p

Be itknown. that I, HENRY C. OsnoRN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the couhty of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Game Apparatus,- of whichthe following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. I

This inventionrelates to an apparatus for use in games where balls are rolled on a surface. It's general object is to provide simple and effective means for indicating when a ball comes into a certain predetermined reg Anotherobject is to provide for automatically detaining the ball within such region until manually released.

[My invention is particularly well adapted for embodiment in an apparatus for the indoor practice of that portion of the game of golf'known as putting. When so embodied,

the predetermined region referred to corresponds in area to the ordinary putting cup and the size of the indicating device bears such a relation to the size of the ball that, when the device is struck by the ball, it indicates that such ball is within the predetermined region to an extent which would correspond withthe ballrolling into the putting cup. That is to say, it shows that at least half of the ball is within the predetermined region. When it is desired to detain the ball within such region, I provide, in addition to the indicating device referred to, a suspended inverted cup, corresponding in internal diameter to theputting cup, and the indicating device is so arranged that when half of the ball has passed beneath the rim of'the cup, the device is engaged and operated to release the cup, which automatically drops and detains the ball. Thereafter the cup is manually raised to release the ball and this may automatically reset the operating device.

My invention is hereinafter more fully ex-, plained in connection with the accompany-' ing drawings, and the essential characteristics are summarized in the claims.

The drawings show an embodiment of the invention adapted-for indoor putting, the indicating and detaining device being suspended from a suitable support, of which several alternative forms are shown.

Specification of Letters Patent.

, is a planof a port; Fig. 6 is a detail of the upper portion of the same in sectional side elevation; Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively a side elevation and a plan of a standard and cross bar form of support; Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Figs. 7 and 8, collapsed and nested for storage; Fig. 10 is an enlarged vertical section of the cross bar mechanism and co-actm'g parts shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 11 1s an enlarged side elevation of the center portion of'such cross bar support; Fig. 12

is a side elevation of a suitable suspended supporting device; Fig. 13 is a cross section on the line 13-13 of Fig. 12.

In Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 7, 1 indicates a weight in the form of a disk, the diameter of which is substantially the difference between the diameter of the standard putting cup and the diameter of'a standard golf ball. This diskissecured to the lower end of a universal pendulum rod 2, which is suitably mounted on a yoke 5 on the lower end of a tubular member 4, this member being suspended from near itsupper end. The disk 2 is located a short distance above the plane of play on which the balls roll, and when it is impinged by the ball (shown at A in Figs. .1 and 2) the visible movement of the disk, as well as the sound resulting from Patented Apr. 20, 1915. Application Med December 26, 1914. Serial No. 879,065. l i

tripod constituting such 'supthe blow, indicates that the major portion 7 of the ball is within the predetermined region, which in this case corresponds to the area of a putting cup.

It is frequently. desirable toprovidemeans for detaining the ball when it rolls into the predetermined region. The mechanism shown for that purpose includes an inverted cup 10 which corresponds in internal diameter to that of the putting cup, and which is adapted to be released by movement of the disk 1, anddrop to engage the ball. As shown, the cup has a flange 11, by which it embraces and is slidably mounted on the tube 4. Within the tube is a rod 3, which normally rests on the upper end of the rod 2 and is connected by a cross bar 12 with the cup. In this case the rod 2 extends loosely through an opening 9 in the yoke 5, and is provided with a partially spherical boss 7,

which rests on the yoke above that opening. The parts are normally in the position shown in Fig. 1, but when the ball engages the disk the latter moves sidewise sufficiently to swing the upper end of the rod 2 out from beneath the rod 3, and rod and cup drop into the position shown in Fig. 2. To lnsure the cup detaining the ball when 1t 1s w1th1n the predetermined region, I find it convenient to flare the lower edge of the cup as shown at 13. After the cup has dropped and detained the ball, it is only necessary, to restore the apparatus, to raise the rod 3. This raises the cup and releases the'ball; at the same time the pendulum rod 2 swings back to normal position directly beneath the rod 3, and supports it. A knob 15 on the upper end of the rod 3, furnishes convenient means for manually raising it.

When practising direction, it may be desired to use only the visible or audible indication resulting from the striking of the disk 1 by the ball (thus saving the trouble of resetting the device after each effective stroke), and this is provided for by locking the rod 3 in its uppermost position. Fig. 11 shows at 16, a pin passed through the rod for this purpose.

The tube 4 and the parts carried by it, may be suspended from any suitable support. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 indicate a tripod for this purpose. The tripod shown has legs 20 of suitable form, which are pivoted at their upper ends at 21, between ears 22 on a sleeve 23, which embraces the tube 4. A thumb screw 24 screws into the sleeve and bears against the tube to hold it in adjusted position. In order to prevent any of the legs of the tripod being in the way or path of the ball, I find it preferable to bring two of the legs of the tripod closer together than if they were equally spaced, as is shown in Fig. 5.

Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive show a collapsible cross-bar form of support. 30 and 31 indicate tubular standards resting on suitable bases 32 and 33. Each standard has extending through it diamterically, near its upper end, a suitable hole, designated 34 and 35. Through these holes extend the ends of the telescoping cross bar, provided by the tubular rods 36 and 37 and the center fitting 38, which embraces the end portions of such tubular rods. This fitting has a vertical opening occupied by the tube 4, which is adapted to be clamped in adjustable position therein by the set screw 39.

The support just described is designed to be collapsed for convenient storage. To this end I secure the tube 36 to the fitting 38, but I make the tube 37 slidable in this fitting, and provide its inner end with a flange 40, preventing it being drawn out of the fitting. The tube 4 normally prevents the telescoping of the cross bar, but when the tube 4 and rod 3 are removed from the fitting,-the rod 37 may thus be conveniently slid into the tube 36, a suitable plug 41 in the tube (shown as providing an extension for the same) limiting such movement. The tube '36, with its contained tube 37, both drawn out of their standards, may then be inserted axially into one of the standards. The tube 4 and mechanism carried thereby, may be simply in- 1 verted and inserted in the other standard. This brings the parts into the condition shown in Fig. 9, which shows the small compass in which they may be put. It is sometimes. convenient to suspend the game apparatus from an overhanging support in the room, and for the convenient accomplishin of this I provide the support shown in F1gs.12 and 13. There, a sleeve 45 has a set screw 46 for clamping it to the tube 4, and is provided with opposite ears 47, which have inwardly extending recesses. Into these recesses the ends of a spring bail 48 are adapted to extend; The bail may have a centering loop 49 to which a suitable cord 50 may be conveniently attached.

In playing with such an apparatus as'described, the ball is rolled toward the disk 1. If more than half of the ball comes beneath the cylindrical inner surface of the cup 10 the ball impinges the disk and swings the pendulum to one side, as shown in Fig. 2. Unless the rod 3 is held elevated, as by the pin 16 (Fig. 11), the swinging of the pendulum releases the cup, which thus drops rapidly'and detains the ball. It is then only necessary for one of the players to grasp the knob 15 and raise the rod 3, restoring the parts.

In golf, as ordinarilyrplayed, the putting cups are approximately four inches in diameter and the balls are approximately one and three fourths inches in diameter.. Accordingly, 'for the practice of putting, I make my cups four inches in internal diameter, and I make the disk 1 of substantially two and one-fourth inches diameter, so that, when the center of the ball has come within two inches of the axis of the cup (which corresponds to the golf ball in actual play rolling into the cup), the pendulum disk will be impinged and the pendulum swung to the side and the cup dropped.

As golf balls vary somewhat in diameter, I may make the disk 1 of somewhat greater diameter than 2}; inches, and may normally position it (by the adjustment of the tube 4) so that it will engage the ball beneath the horizontal diameter thereof. With a smaller ball, the disk is raised, and, if a larger ball were employed, it would be lowered, so that the same cup may be used for somewhat different sizes of balls and still correspond exactly 'to the conditions on the putting reen.

It should be noted particularly that, by reason of the spherical boss 7 supporting'the pendulum rod, the latter may swing with equal ease in any direction, and, accord-y.-

tised indoors on any ordinary floor, rug or carpet without causing any disfigurement ingly, however the balltouches'the disk it will release the cup. The disk and rod thus.

constitute not only anindicator but a universal trigger for releasing the cup. Not only will my inverted cup detain any ball which would drop into a hole of the same area below the plane of play, but other conwith my apparatus it will strike the disk and bounce out before the cup has time to descend.

My apparatus enables putting to be practo the surface. The apparatus is readily portable, and, when not in use, may be collapsed into very compact condition.

-Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. The combination, with a ball, of an indicating device havinga disk the diameter of which bears such a relation to the diam eter of the ball that when the disk is struck by the ball it. indicates that at least half of the ball is within a certain circular region, and detaining means adapted to be released by the movement of said disk.

2. The combination of a suspendedmovable disk, a suspended detaining device adapted to drop, and means actuated by the movement of, the disk for controlling the dropping of the detaining device.

3. The combination, with a support, of a pendulum rod suspended therefrom andv adapted to move in any direction, a movable detaining device, and means actuated by the movement of the pendulum for controlling the movement of the detaining device.

4. In a game apparatus, the combination of a suitable support, a detaining device normally suspended by it above the plane of play, and trigger mechanism adapted to be engaged by a rolling ball to release the detaining device and allow it to drop and detain the ball. I

In agame apparatus, the combination of an inverted cup, means for suspending it, and trigger mechanism adapted to be en gaged by a ball passing beneath the rim of the cup to release the cup.

6. 'In a game apparatus, the combination of a detaining device for a rolled ball, and a suspended pendulum for holding said device elevated above a plane of play, said pendulum being arranged to normally supportsaid device. but adapted :to "release. it when the pendulum swings.

'7. In a gameapparatus, the combination of an inverted movable cup, and a suspended; pendulum for holding the cup elevated, said pendulum depending-into the space normally beneath the cup and arranged to normallysupport' the cup but adapted to release it when the pendulum swings.

8. The combination of an inverted cup, a rod supported to be swung in any direction,

a disk on the lower end of the rod, and

means whereby the cup is supported by the rod when vertical -and released by the rod \when tipped.

9. The combination of an inverted cup. means for slidably guiding it, a rod inter mediately supported to be swung in anydirectlon, and means connected with the cup and arranged to be supported by the rod. when vertical and released by the rod when 1 tipped.

10. The combination of a tube, a rod slid: able. wlthin the tube, a trigger carried by one of such members and normally supporting the other, and a detaining device carried by such other member.

11. The combination of a suspending of, a trigger carried by said yoke, a device slidable relative to the suspending means and normally supported by the trigger, and an inverted cup slidable along the suspendmg means and supportedby said device.

12. The combination of an upright tube, a yoke at the lower end thereof, a pendulum rod mounted in the yoke and adapted to be swung in 7 any direction, an upright rod within the tube-resting at its lower end on the upper end of the pendulum rod, and a cup normally supported by therod withinthe tube.

13. The combination of a support, an upright member adjustably depending therefrom, a yoke at the lower end of said member, a pendulum rod mounted in the yoke and adapted to be swung in any direction, a second upright member resting at its lower end on the upper end of'the pendulum rod, and a cup slidably mounted on one of said members and supported by the other member.

14. The combination of an upright tube, a cup -slidable upon the same, a rod within the tube, a supporting connection between the rod and cup, and a trigger mechanism adapted to normally engage and support the rod and be impinged by. a ball beneath the cup-to release the rod.

15. The combination of an upright tube, a cup slidable upon the same, a rod within i means, a yokecarried at the lower end therethe tube, a supporting connection between the ranged to support the rod first mentioned, and a disk on the lower end of the pendulum rod.

16. The combination of a collapsible support, a member .carried thereby, a cup slidable on said member, asecond member, a supporting connection. between it and the cup, a trigger carried by the first member and adaptedto support or release the second member one of said members extending above t e other, whereby it may be conveniently raised to restore the cup to normal position.

17. The combination, with a suitable supporting device, a tube carried thereby, a cup slidable on the tube, a rod within the tube extending beyond its ends, a connection between the rod and the cup, a yoke carried by thetube, a pendulum rod carried by the yoke and adapted to support or release the rod first mentioned, and a disk secured to the pendulum rod and adapted to be engaged b a ball beneath the cup.

18. T e combination of a detainin device, means for supporting it elevate includin a pendulum which when swung to any si e releases the detaining device, and means for restoring the detaining device and allowing the pendulum to gravitate to normal position.

19. The -combination with a ball, of a movable detainer, and trigger mechanism for normally supporting the detainer above the plane of play but adapted to release it when the trigger mechanism is struck by the ball which has been rolled on said plane and has passed substantially half its diameter beneath the detaining device.

20. The combination of a detaining device, means including a pendulum extending below the device for supporting said device elevated, said endulum having a weight adapted to be impinged by a ball entering the space beneath the detaining device.

21. The combination of an inverted movable cup, a pendulum having a substantially horizontal disk at its lower end, means for supporting the pendulum axially within the cup, and means whereby the pendulum when in normal ,osition supports the cup and when tipped releases the cup allowing the latter to drop.

22. The combination, with a playing. ball, of a round detaining device therefor, means including a pendulum extendin below the device for supporting it elevate said penvice corresponding substantially to hal the I diameter of the ball.

23. The combination, with a ball, of a cylindrical cup, a pendulum rod adapted to swing in any direction and arranged to support the cup elevated or release it, and a disk on the lower end of the pendulum rod, the diameter of the disk plus the diameter of the ball being substantially equal to the internal diameter of the cup.:

24. The combination, with -a suitable supporting device, of an inverted cup flaring at its lower edge, a pendulum rod adapted to support or release thecup, and a weight secured to the pendulum rod and adapted to be engaged by a ball. 1,

25. The combination of a detaining device, a pendulum adapted to support it including a rod having a boss which is spherical on its under surface, and means loosely surrounding the rod and engaging such undersurface for suspendin the pendulum.

26. The combination 0 an inverted cup,

trigger mechanism for supporting and releasing it, an upright member for supporting the trigger mechanism, and a telescoping support for carrying the upright member.

27. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a suspended dctaining device having a diametersubstantially equal to that of a golf putting cup, and mechanism for releasing said detaining device, said mechanismbeing so positioned that it will be engaged and operated when 

